HOPE Mentor and Co-Facilitator

Jeannie is the mother of two daughters, Katie - age 10 and Kelly - age 4. She works as a Human Resource Manager in the NW suburbs of Chicago and likes to participate in her daughters' school and church functions.

A little over 2 years ago, she was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her son in late May. After a fairly "normal" pregnancy, Jeannie went to her Ob/gyn for the last appointment before she was scheduled to be induced a couple days later. This appointment was on Danny's original due date, May 28th, 2008. That is the day her world forever changed. The doctor could not find a heartbeat. The ultrasound showed no movement. Daniel was silently born the next morning - so handsome, looked just like his sisters when they were born - he was a full term infant - 21 1/2 inches long, 6 lbs, 14 oz. Full autopsy and genetic study done - no reason for death was found - but Jeannie suspects that it was either a cord accident or placental failure.

Although Jeannie had a large network of family, friends - she felt very, very alone in the weeks following her loss of Danny. It wasn't until someone wanted to make a contribution in Danny's memory, and her husband did a Google search on stillbirth organizations, that she found MISS. MISS has been her safe haven ever since, helping her cope with losing Daniel, as well as the loss of two subsequent pregnancies in the 1st trimester. Per Jeannie "without the MISS without this organization, I don’t know how I would be doing emotionally, mentally, physically. I cannot put into words the comfort the on-line forums brought to me in some of my darkest hours. The ability to connect with women, and men that “get it” is and was SO valuable."

Jeannie would like to make sure that as many OBs, hospitals in the Chicago and near Chicago suburbs know about MISS, have the MISS pamphlets – and give Illinois families the forum to connect with each other in person.

Click here to email Jeannie...